Title: Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form / No: DEE ESWB-10-2-2
Authorised By: Manager ESWB
Issue Date: April 2011
Review Date: January 2015
Next Review: May 2015 / Page Number: 1 of 9
1. Hazard Management Details – General
Plant/Equipment Item: HEDGE TRIMMER(Fuel) / Make/Model No.: / Serial No.:
School / Work Location: / Region:
Name of Person(s) Conducting Activity: / Date Conducted:
/ Description of use:
A hedge trimmer is a cutting tool used for trimming hedges. Two blades move over the top of one another causing the shearing action required for cutting. / Summary of key risks:
- Entanglement
- Impact and cutting
- Shearing
- Ergonomics
- Vibration
- Slips/trips/falls
- Other (dust and fumes)
2. Documentation
Relevant Legislation/Standards / Y / N / Comments
Is plant required to be registered? / Y N
Is a user license required? / Y N
Key reference material:
Plant Documentation / Y / N / Comments
Are operator’smanuals accessible? / Y N
Is this a restricted use item? / Y N
Does this item require safe use documents/test? / Y N
3. Hazard Identification
Hazards Inspected / Risk Assessment / Description of Risk / Control Measures
Cons / Like / Risk
Level
ENTANGLEMENT
Can anyone’s hair, clothing, gloves, cleaning brushes, tools, rags or other materials become entangled with moving parts of the plant or materials? / Y N / Moderate / Possible / Medium / Loose clothing, gloves, rags or other materials could become entangled the moving parts. / Ensure that clothing, gloves, hair or other such items are kept clear of the moving parts when in use.
- Overalls can be used to restrict loose clothing.
- Ensure gloves are well fitted.
- Secure all rags, ropes and/or other hanging items.
Hazards Inspected / Risk Assessment / Description of Risk / Control Measures
Cons / Like / Risk
Level
IMPACT AND CUTTING INJURIES
Can anyone be crushed/cut/struck etc. due to: / Injuries could be sustained as a result of the trimmer blades being poorly maintained/ damaged or incorrectly installed onto drive.
The exposed moving parts present a risk to an operator’s hands and body parts.
Risk of eye injury from flying objects arising from the cutting action of the hedge trimmer (e.g. twigs, leaves etc). / Ensure the operator’s hands and body parts are kept clear of moving partsduring operation and maintenance.
Ensure that the operator has been trained in safe work practices and appropriate PPE (e.g. eye protection, appropriate footwear etc) is worn whilst operating equipment.
Ensure the equipment is appropriately installed and serviced as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Material falling off the plant?
- Uncontrolled/unexpected movement of plant/load?
- Lack of capacity to slow, stop or immobilize plant?
- The plant tipping or rolling over?
- Parts of the plant disintegrating orcollapsing?
- Contact with moving parts during testing, inspection, operation, maintenance, cleaning or repair?
- Being thrown off or under the plant?
- Contact with sharp or flying objects? (e.g. work pieces being ejected)
- The mobility of the plant?
- Inappropriate parts and accessories being used?
- Other
Hazards Inspected / Risk Assessment / Description of Risk / Control Measures
Cons / Like / Risk
Level
SHEARING
Can anyone’s body parts be sheared between two parts of plant, or between a part of the plant and a work piece or structure? / Y N / Major / Possible / High / The exposed moving blades on the hedge trimmer presenta risk to the operator’s hands and fingers. / Ensure that operator has been trained in safe work practices and has appropriate PPE.
Ensure that the operator does not place hands and fingers in close proximity to the moving blades.
PRESSURISED CONTENT
Can anyone come into contact with fluids or gases under high pressure, due to plant failure or misuse of the plant? / Y N
ELECTRICITY
Can anyone be injured or burnt due to:
- Live electrical conductors? (e.g.exposed wires)
- Working in close proximity to electrical conductors?
- Access to electricity?
- Damaged or poorly maintained electrical leads, cables or switches?
- Water near electrical equipment?
- Lack of isolation procedures?
- Other
Hazards Inspected / Risk Assessment / Description of Risk / Control Measures
Cons / Like / Risk
Level
ERGONOMICS
Can anyone be injured due to: / The use of the equipment may involve repetitive body movements and awkward positions. / Ensure regular breaks are taken if the task entails long duration time.
Ensure appropriate manual handling techniques are applied whilst operating equipment.
- Poorly designed workstation?
- Repetitive body movement?
- Constrained body posture or the need for excessive effort?
- Design deficiency causing psychological stress?
- Inadequate or poorly placed lighting?
- Does the plant impact on the surrounding workplace and create potential hazards? (Consider safe access and egress from plant, workflow and design of the workplace)
- Is the location of the plant inappropriate? (Consider potential effects due to environmental conditions and terrain)
- Other
Hazards Inspected / Risk Assessment / Description of Risk / Control Measures
Cons / Like / Risk
Level
RADIATION
Can anyone using the plant, or in the vicinity of theplant suffer injury or illness due to exposure to radiation in the form of any of the following:
- infra-red radiation
- ultra violet light
- microwaves
NOISE
Can anyone using the plant, or in the vicinity of the plant, suffer injury due to exposure to noise? / Y N / Minor / Unlikely / Low / Operation of the hedge trimmer may produce high noise levels. / Ensure appropriate PPE is worn (e.g. hearing protection)
VIBRATION
Can anyone be injured or suffer ill-health from exposure tovibration? / YN / Moderate / Unlikely / Medium / The vibration from hedge trimmers can cause damage to the hands if they are used for long periods at a time. / Use a hedge trimmer with anti-vibration mountings.
Take regular breaks from continuous operation.
Wear appropriate PPE (e.g. gloves) especially in cold weather.
Maintain the hedge trimmer regularly to ensure smoother cutting and less vibration.
FRICTION
Can anyone be burnt due to contact with moving parts, materials or surfaces of the plant? / Y N
SUFFOCATION
Can anyone be suffocated due to lack of oxygen, or atmospheric contamination? / Y N
CONDITION
Is a hazard likely due to the age and condition of the plant? (Consider how hard the machine has been worked, and whether it is used constantly or rarely). / Y N
- Can anyone be injured as a result of the plant not serviced appropriately and/or maintained in line with manufacturer’s recommendations?
Hazards Inspected / Risk Assessment / Description of Risk / Control Measures
Cons / Like / Risk
Level
SLIPS/TRIPS/FALLS
Can anyone using the plant, or in the vicinity of the plant, slip, trip or fall due to: / There may be a slip, trip or fall risk to the operator due to equipment being used outdoors and in a diverse range of environments. / Operator to inspect work environment for hazards prior to commencing work.
Ensurethe hedge trimmer blades come to a complete stop before moving or placing the equipment down.
Ensure appropriate working at heights risk controls are in place when working from a ladder or work platform.
Ensure appropriate footwear is worn.
- Uneven, slippery or steep work surfaces?
- Poor housekeeping, e.g. spillage in the vicinity?
- Obstacles being placed in the vicinity of the plant?
- Inappropriate or poorly maintained floor or walking surfaces (i.e. lack of a slip-resistant surface, unprotected holes, penetrations or gaps?)
If operating or maintaining plant at height can anyone slip, trip or fall due to:
- Use of work platforms, stairs or ladders?
- Lack of guardrails or other suitable edge protection?
- Other
Hazards Inspected / Risk Assessment / Description of Risk / Control Measures
Cons / Like / Risk
Level
FIRE AND EXPLOSION
Can anyone be injured by fire? / Y N / Major / Possible / High / The storage and handling of petrol(e.g. refuelling) may pose a risk of fire and explosion to the operator. / Ensure fuel is appropriately stored (e.g. away from ignition sources in a locked storage area).
Ensure refuellingis conducted in a safe manner (e.g.equipment is switched off, away from ignition sources etc).
- Can anyone be injured by explosion of gases, vapours, liquids, dusts, or other substances?
TEMPERATURE/MOISTURE
Can anyone come into contact with objects athigh or low temperatures? / Y N
- Can anyone suffer ill-health due to exposure to high or low temperatures?
- Can anyone be injured or suffer ill-health due to exposure to moisture?
OTHER
Can anyone be injured or suffer ill-health from exposure to:
/ The hedge trimmerproduces exhaust fumes which can build up over time in an enclosed space.The operation of the hedge trimmer may produce wood dust. / Ensure the hedge trimmer is only operated where there is adequate ventilation.
Refuel chainsaw in well-ventilated area.
- Chemicals?
- Toxic gases or vapours?
- Fumes/Dusts?
- Other? (please specify)
4. Risk Assessment Signoff
Authorised By: / Signature: / Date:
THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED